Oleksandr Usyk Vs. Rico Verhoeven: Date, Time And How To Watch
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven streams Saturday, May 23 on DAZN PPV from the Pyramids of Giza. Here's the date, start time, price and full how-to-watch.
Brian Mazique, Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
6/10
Pyramids of Giza
Key Takeaways
Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) holds the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles; Rico Verhoeven (62-10, 20 KOs) has held the GLORY heavyweight title for over a decade.
The fight takes place on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, with a DAZN PPV price expected around $69.99.
Modified rules are likely to include 12 three-minute rounds with 10-ounce gloves, but full regulations have not been finalized.
This is the first time a reigning unified boxing heavyweight champion has faced a reigning kickboxing heavyweight champion in a major PPV event.
DAZN expects the event to break its single-event pay-per-view record, surpassing the 2025 Canelo Alvarez fight.
Two undefeated champions from different combat sports are finally meeting. Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight boxing king, will face Rico Verhoeven, the long-reigning GLORY heavyweight kickboxing champion, in a historic crossover fight on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The bout streams exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view from the iconic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The event marks a rare collision between two athletes at the peak of their respective sports, promising a spectacle that transcends traditional boxing or kickboxing audiences. Usyk, a 37-year-old Ukrainian southpaw, has dominated boxing's heavyweight division since moving up from cruiserweight, defeating Anthony Joshua twice and Tyson Fury. Verhoeven, 35, from the Netherlands, has held the GLORY heavyweight title since 2014, amassing a 62-10 record with 20 knockouts. The fight will be contested under modified rules — likely boxing with kickboxing elements or a hybrid format — though specific regulations have not been finalized. DAZN has positioned this as its biggest event of the year, with the pay-per-view price expected to be in the $69.99 range, standard for premium combat sports. The location, the Giza plateau, adds an ancient grandeur that organizers hope will elevate the fight's global appeal. Industry analysts note the matchup is both a marketing masterstroke and a genuine athletic challenge. Usyk's agility and footwork versus Verhoeven's power and reach advantage create a stylistic clash that could determine the winner. The fight is also a test of whether cross-discipline super-fights can draw casual fans beyond hardcore audiences. Beyond the main event, the undercard features several title fights from both boxing and kickboxing. The event will be available in over 200 countries via DAZN, with a live broadcast starting at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT. For fans, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see two living legends settle the debate of which combat sport reigns supreme. The outcome will likely spark further cross-promotion fights and reshape how promoters schedule major events.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fight is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026. The main event is expected to start at approximately 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT, but undercard bouts will begin earlier.
The event will stream exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view. You can purchase the PPV through the DAZN app or website. It will be available in over 200 countries.
The exact price has not been officially announced, but it is expected to be around $69.99, similar to other major DAZN PPV events.
The fight will be held at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, a historic outdoor venue that will add a unique backdrop to the event.
The exact rules are still being negotiated, but it is expected to be a hybrid format, likely incorporating elements of both boxing and kickboxing with 12 three-minute rounds and 10-ounce gloves.
Oleksandr Usyk is the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion from Ukraine, undefeated in 22 fights. Rico Verhoeven is the long-reigning GLORY heavyweight kickboxing champion from the Netherlands with a record of 62-10.
